official factory racing team of holden clipsal 500 -...
TRANSCRIPT
OFFICIAL FACtOry rACIng teAm OF hOLden
hrt.COm.Au Or FOLLOw us On:
2012 Holden racing team season launcH
CLIPSAL 500 - PREVIEW
PHoto caPtionHolden re-signs agreement witH factory Holden teamHolden has signalled its readiness for next year’s introduction of V8 supercars’ car of the future by announcing it had extended its agreement with champion V8 supercar team, the factory Holden racing team.
Holden sponsorship manager, simon mcnamara made the announcement this morning at Holden Vehicle operations at
elizabeth, south australia – home of the popular commodore and cruze vehicles.
also present were walkinshaw racing managing director steve Hallam and Hrt drivers garth tander and James courtney.
“Holden has supported the top level of australian touring cars for over 40 years and we are proud of our racing history and the role it plays in our brand – motorsport is an important part of Holden’s dna,” mcnamara said.
“Hrt set tHe standards in V8 suPercars for years – on and off tHe race track – and tHat’s wHy i enJoy being Part of tHe team.” James courtney, #22
agreement re-signed witH Hrt
OFFICIAL FACtOry rACIng teAm OF hOLden
hrt.COm.Au Or FOLLOw us On:
founded by tom walkinshaw in 1990, Hrt is australia’s most successful V8 supercar team with six championships (1996, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02), seven bathurst 1000 victories (1990, 96, 2001, 02, 05, 09, 11) and a record 200 all-time race wins to its credit.
Hrt parent company, walkinshaw racing has also been responsible for a further two V8 championships (HsV dealer team – 2006, 07) and two bathurst crowns (kmart racing – 2003, 04).
“as Holden’s official factory racing team, the Holden racing team carries with it great responsibilities and expectations, and those will only increase with car of the future and the introduction of new
manufacturers into the V8 series,” Hallam said.
“at Hrt, we bleed red. Holden’s continued commitment gives us even greater confidence in being able to deliver further success for them, our corporate partners and loyal fans.”
the 2012 V8 supercar championship begins with this weekend’s clipsal 500 in adelaide (1-4 march) – the first of 15 championship events.
testing times at tHe Pre-cliPsal run at wintonHrt drivers garth tander and James courtney were out on the track at winton
just over a week ago with conditions dry from the outset, but after an hour unseasonal rain hit the circuit and remained present for much of the day.
“it’s not often you get the opportunity to test in the wet, so we learnt a lot and our Hrt commodores are very good.
“the weather in adelaide tends to vary, we’ve had 40 degree days some years, torrential downpours others.
“we had a productive day at sandown mostly in the dry, and we had a productive day in the wet at winton, so i’m pretty confident we’re covered for all conditions.
“it’s important we start the year with
a bang. we’ve had plenty of success at
the clipsal 500 event in the past and i’m confident we’ll be successful there again” said tander.
team-mate, James courtney said the team adjusted well to the unexpected conditions.
“the rain threw a spanner in the works a little, but we were able to adjust our testing
plan to suit the wet which stayed constant for the remainder of the day. importnantly, we learnt a lot about the setup of our cars,” courtney said.
“we are really looking forward to getting
on-track this weekend, i cant wait!”
“Holden’s announcement is fantastic news for our organisation. tHe Holden racing team is an asPirational organisation for many PeoPle to be Part of - we are Very keen to build on its ricH History of success well into tHe future.” gartH tander, #2
gt is fired uP for 2012
OFFICIAL FACtOry rACIng teAm OF hOLden
hrt.COm.Au Or FOLLOw us On:
for all tHe latest news and for more images from tHe weekend cHeck out...
www.hrt.com.au
we liVe for tHe army!
cliPsal 500 street circuit
the former formula 1 street circuit is renowned for being one of the best in the world. shortened from its grand Prix length by 700 metres to 3.2km, the circuit is very busy from inside the cockpit and, apart from the run down the back straight, gives drivers very few opportunities to relax. the circuit featured major resurfacing work for 2009 aas well as new pit lane facilities. the clipsal 500 was first held in 1999.
circuit length: 3.22kms
circuit direction: clockwise
V8 suPercars scHedule round 1: cliPsal 500, adelaide
friday 2nd marcH 2012:Practice 1, 30 minutes 9:05am-9:35amPractice 2, 30 minutes 11:00am-11:30amPractice 3, 30 minutes 12:10pm - 12:40pmPractice 4, 30 minutes 1:30pm - 2:00pmsaturday 3rd marcH 2012:warm-up, 20 minutes 9:05am - 9:25amrace, 78 laps, 250km 2:35pmsunday 4tH marcH 2012: Qualifying, 20 minutes 11:15am - 11:35amrace 4, 78 laps. 250km 2:35pm